Updated at 11:19 p.m. EST, Nov. 4, 2009
A series of bomb attacks targeted Iraqis mostly in and around Baghdad while gunmen left casualties elsewhere. Overall, at least six Iraqis were killed while another 26 were wounded. Meanwhile, the Iraqi election commission chairman warned that further delays in approving an elections law would mean postponing national elections in January. Some analysts view the delay as evidence the U.S. has lost clout in Iraq.
Updated at 11:41 p.m. EST, Nov. 3, 2009
At least five Iraqis were killed and 18 others were wounded in light violence across northern and central Iraq. Meanwhile, a Christian MP asked the speaker to request an international inquiry into anti-Christian violence within Iraq. Also, the International Organization for Migration noted that about 350,000 displaced Iraqis have returned to their homes, but many now suffer from a serious lack of jobs and resources.
Updated at 10:59 p.m. EST, Nov. 2, 2009
Light violence left only three Iraqis dead and two more wounded according to recent reports. A U.S. soldier also died of non-combat injuries. A second US soldier supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom was killed in an accident in Kuwait.
Updated at 5:17 p.m. EST, Nov. 1, 2009
Today’s attacks were focused on cities just south and west of the capital. Although at first glance the bombings look to be the work of Sunni extremists, internecine Shi’ite rivalries should not be ruled out as the source of some violence. Overall, as many as 25 Iraqis were killed and 75 more were wounded in the latest reports. Meanwhile, the elections law impasse threatens to delay the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. At the heart of the problem is the status of multi-ethnic Kirkuk.
Updated at 7:22 p.m. EDT, Oct. 31, 2009
At least three Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in attacks across Baghdad and Mosul. Security in Mosul was tightened ahead of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s historic visit to the northern city. Kurdish President Massoud Barzani greeted the minister and praised Turkish efforts to address a decades old conflict between the Turkish government and Kurds.
Updated at 7:45 p.m. EDT, Oct. 30, 2009
At least four Iraqis were killed and seven more were wounded in very light, prayer day violence. Two U.S. soldiers were killed in two separate non-combat incidents.
Updated at 8:49 p.m. EDT, Oct. 29, 2009
At least six Iraqis were killed and 15 more were wounded in the latest violence even as Iraqi security personnel rounded up colleagues who stand accused of negligence or worse in Sunday’s bloody bomb attacks. One U.S. soldier died of non-combat injuries at Camp Adder. Meanwhile, Kurdish lawmakers walked away from the debate that could resolve the elections law impasse in parliament.
Updated at 7:19 p.m. EDT, Oct. 27, 2009
Iraq remains mostly quiet in the aftermath of the deadliest bombings in two years. At least seven Iraqis were killed and two more were wounded in the latest violence. Most of the attention remains on Baghdad where politicians are being blamed for the attack. The compromise that was expected to break the elections law impasse as early as today fell apart overnight, fueling concerns that Sunni-led violence could soon increase. Separately, the U.S. drawdown has revealed how little attention to accountability was paid during the occupation.
Updated at 7:40 p.m. EDT, Oct. 26, 2009
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 19 more were wounded in today’s attacks. The toll from yesterday’s bombings in the capital rose to 160 dead.
Updated at 5:25 p.m. EDT, Oct. 25, 2009
A pair of devastating explosions targeting government buildings in Baghdad left 147 dead and 718 wounded just hours before the Iraqi government would again try to solve an elections law impasse. Three U.S. contractors were also wounded. The death toll eclipses that of “Bloody Wednesday” which left over 100 dead two months ago. Only two other Iraqis were reported killed elsewhere.
